ContexaRFTaFlexContexaRFTaFlex

Jerold Hambright, Ph.D.Jerold Hambright, Ph.D.

Kevin Polk, Ph.D.Kevin Polk, Ph.D.

andand

John Agee, Ph.D.John Agee, Ph.D.

Veterans Affairs HospitalVeterans Affairs Hospital

Togus, Maine USATogus, Maine USA

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ACT is based on a philosophy of science ACT is based on a philosophy of science called Functional Contextualism. From called Functional Contextualism. From this point of view we are always this point of view we are always answering the question, “What works.”answering the question, “What works.”

ACT: Philosophy, Theory & Practice

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesBut to answer the question, “What works?” we need to know what we are working toward. In ACT the answer is…

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesAnd the best time for learning what works for values is the…Present Moment

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

And how we learn in the present moment is explained by…

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

RFT shows that as babies we start constantly learning through

Experience

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

ExperienceAnd learning through experience involves…

Relational Framing

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

ExperienceRelational Framing

Relational Framing as babies leads to a new kind of learning through…

Language &Cognition

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

ExperienceRelational Framing

Language &Cognition

Learning through language and cognition is secondary to learning through experience. It’s cool, but it has a price. At times it interferes with learning what works for values and we get stuck using solutions that don’t work for what we value. The solutions instead lead us to suffering. For people who are stuck and suffering we have…

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

ExperienceRelational Framing

Language &Cognition

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

In ACT the work of “letting go” of solutions that work for suffering instead of values is called… Defusion

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

ExperienceRelational Framing

Language &Cognition

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Defusion

Part of defusion work is being fully aware of yourself in the present moment. That awareness is called…Self as Context

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

ExperienceRelational Framing

Language &Cognition

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Defusion Self as Context

Self-as-context awareness allows us to return to effective learning through experience by taking…Committed Action

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

ExperienceRelational Framing

Language &Cognition

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Defusion Self as Context Committed Action

By taking actions toward values while being fully aware we learn…

Acceptance

FunctionalContextualism:“What works?”

ValuesPresent Moment

Relational Frame Theory (RFT)

ExperienceRelational Framing

Language &Cognition

Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)

Defusion Self as Context Committed Action

Acceptance

And by taking committed actions toward values while being fully aware of ourselves in the present moment we return to a healthy level of…

Psychological Flexibility